HC reserves verdict on ED advocate’s bail plea

The Orissa High Court today completed the hearing on anticipatory bail application of Enforcement Directorate’s advocate Devashis Panda and reserved its verdict.

The hearing on the anticipatory bail application was conducted by Justice S K Mishra.

Panda, also a former Additional Government Advocate, was recently interrogated by CBI for his alleged link with chit fund company Arthatatwa (AT) group and with its CMD Pradeep Sethy.

Panda was booked by CBI in June last year under IPC and Prize Chits and Money Circulation Scheme (Banning) Act of 1978.

However, when Panda was called over telephone to appear before the CBI investigation officer for recording his statements, he moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail and did not appear before the IO.

During the course of hearing of Panda?s petition in October last year, he was given an interim protection by the High Court in which the court said that in the event of Panda?s arrest, he shall be released on bail by furnishing a personal bond of Rs 10,000.

But on March 25 this year, the High Court directed Panda to appear before CBI on April 2 observing that CBI has not been able to make up its mind whether to arrest Panda or cite him as a witness in the case.